Oakland Counties Top High School Golfers for 2013

Charlie Green Chips it Close

     The list isn't mine but after watching many of these golfers in both junior and high school play, the list is pretty much right. Do you agree with the list? Check to see whose on the list. The story is by Keith Dunlap of the Oakland Press. My All-County team happens after the MHSAA Finals.

1. Charlie Green, Novi Detroit Catholic Central Sr. – A four-year varsity player who can single-handedly keep Catholic Central in contention at any tournament. Signed with Michigan State, Green had a 75.3 tournament average last year and is the defending Catholic League champion.

2. Kyle Gaines, Birmingham Brother Rice Sr. – Emerged as a top player last year, being named first team all-state after collecting a 76.2 tournament average five top-10 finishes for the state champion Warriors. He has signed with Detroit Mercy.

3. Eric Busa, Rochester Adams Sr. – If not for the fact Busa had a back injury last year that forced him to miss the regional tournament, Adams might have qualified for the state tournament. Coming off a year where he had nine top-10 finishes and a tournament average of 76.

4. Jeremy Ball, Birmingham Brother Rice Jr. – Coming off two outstanding seasons as an underclassmen, Ball figures to be even better as a veteran of the Warriors. Was honorable mention all-state last season after he had a 75.3 tournament average.

5. Brandon Barrows, Rochester Adams Soph. – Had an outstanding freshman season last year, qualifying individually for the state tournament in Division 1 and finishing with a 74.5 tournament average.

6. Alex Waelchli, Lake Orion Sr. – A four-year varsity player who has signed with Oakland University, Waelchli was honorable mention all-state last season in Division 1.

7. Mason Gorris, Lake Orion Sr. – Another four-year player for the Dragons who was honorable mention all-state in 2012, Gorris teams with Waelchli to form as good of a duo at the top of the lineup as there is.

Rishi Patel follows through to a top finish

8. Rishi Patel, Birmingham Detroit Country Day Jr. – Named honorable mention all-state in Division 2, Patel had won two AJGA tournaments last summer and is poised for another big year.

9. Brad Kozinski, Novi Sr. – The Wildcats usually have strong golfers at the top of the lineup, and Kozinski is the latest in that line.

10. Gavin Garris, South Lyon Sr. – All-KLAA performer who tied for medalist honors at the Oakland County tournament last season, Garris is entering his third year on varsity and should be an all-state candidate by season’s end.

11. Garret Buckley, Novi Jr. – Can be the top golfer on any given day and teams with Kozinski to form a wonderful top-two for the Wildcats.

12. John VanNoord, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian Sr. – Takes over as the No. 1 player for the Lancers and should be one of the best all year in the county and a contender to win individual title in Division 4.

13. Jeremy Glod, Birmingham Brother Rice Sr. – Just how deep are the Warriors? Glod might be the No. 3 golfer in the lineup, but he’s capable of being No. 1 on any given day.

14. Corey Szmadzinski, Novi Detroit Catholic Central Sr. - Signed with Dayton, Smadzinski is as good of a No. 2 golfer as there is in the area.

15. Spencer Lenzion, Stoney Creek Sr. – Good veteran leader for the Cougars who can shoot low anytime.

16. Mike Murri, Rochester Jr. – A three-year varsity performer who will be looked upon to help carry the Falcons at the top of the lineup.

17. Michael Busse, Rochester Fr. – One of the state’s top freshman, look for Busse to be the next great golfer to come through a tradition-rich program.

18. Michael Doyle, Stoney Creek Jr. – Already following in the footsteps of older brother Dan nicely at Stoney Creek.

19. Tim Pearce, Birmingham Seaholm Sr. – A four-year varsity player who should be the top man in place of Francesco Ruffino all season for the Maples.

20. Johnny Fortuna, Bloomfield Hills Lahser Sr. – The top man for the Knights qualified individually for the Division 3 state tournament last season.

21. Griffin Beeler, Lake Orion Jr. – Entering his third year on varsity, Beeler showed what he can do when on by shooting a 70 at Boulder Pointe in the first OAA Red tournament of the year.

22. Jake Kneen, Lakeland Jr. – An honorable mention all-county performer each of his first two seasons for the Eagles who should shine again this spring.

23. Alex Kleckner, Lakeland Jr. – Just like Kneen, he’s been honorable mention all-county his first two years of high school and could make this a season to remember for Lakeland.

24. Justin Pahl, Lakeland Jr. – Teams up with Kneen and Kleckner to form a nice trio for the Eagles.

25. Preston Dooley, Novi Detroit Catholic Central Sr. - A No. 1 golfer on many teams, Dooley has signed with Elon University in North Carolina.
David Smith-Everest Collegiate. Tied for first at Oakland County last year. 5^th at districts, 1^st at Regional’s and 15^th at States.

Two Guys Who Golf have contests for free golf vacations in Arizona and Nevada and plenty of golf specials

Catalogue of Michigan, Ontario, Arizona, Florida, Las Vegas, Chicago, California, Colorado, Ohio, Indiana,South Carolina, Texas & Island Golf Courses

Arizona Golf Atlantic City Golf California Golf Canadian Golf Chicago Golf Colorado Golf Florida Golf Indiana Golf Island Golf Kentucky Golf Las Vegas Golf Michigan Golf Ohio Golf So. Carolina Golf Texas Golf Contact Us Travel Links

Visit our golf course information sections for Arizona Golf, Atlantic City Golf, Chicago Golf, California Golf, Colorado Golf, Florida Golf, Indiana Golf, Kentucky Golf, Las Vegas Golf, Myrtle Beach Golf, Michigan Golf, Ontario Golf (Canada), Island Golf (beautiful Caribbean Golf Courses) and Texas Golf. TwoGuysWhoGolf.com has been providing our readers with beautiful pictorial golf course reviews and comprehensive information on golf courses, golf resorts, stores and practice facilities for over 10 years!  Las Vegas Free Stay & Play Promotions: Win a free Stay & Play Package at EUREKA CASINO RESORT in Mesquite, NV - click here! Win a free Stay & Play package at AVI RESORT in Laughlin, NV - click here! WARM WEATHER GOLF DESTINATIONS ISLAND GOLF Info on the White Witch, Mahogany Run & More! Click here for info on Caribbean Golf Courses & Resorts ONTARIO GOLF  Info on some of Ontario's finest golf courses & resorts click here MICHIGAN GOLF Click here for more information on this northern golf paradise! CHICAGO GOLF Learn more about these great Chicago properties:  Click Here  Click here for practice facilities in Ontario - Here for facilities in Michigan - including Great Lakes Golf Center (formerly Mulligans) Get your swing in gear with Center of Gravity Golf - click here Click here to visit our Michigan golf store directory - including Carl's Golfland - one of the top 100 golf stores in the U.S. PRACTICE GOLF ETIQUETTE - RESPECT THE GAME! Repair ball marks & replace divots. Click on ETIQUETTE for more information. *Note to courses: help us to enjoy the game and speed up play. Click on golfer's SUGGESTIONS!.

Women's Clinic will go over USGA Rules and showcase the MWGA Tour

     One thing about the MWGA. They are active promoting the game for junior golfers and take the game seriously in a fun way. They are having a clinic in West Bloomfield on April 27th, and USGA rules and information about their tour will be discussed. The cost is nominal. The information is below. 

LEARN ABOUT THE MICHIGAN WOMEN’S GOLF ASSOCIATION
AND THE USGA RULES OF GOLF

2013 MWGA Rules Clinic & Orientation Session
Date:    Saturday, April 27, 2013
Location:    West Bloomfield Library, 4600 Walnut Lake Rd.
    West Bloomfield, MI 48323
9:30 am    Registration for Rules Clinic & Orientation Session, Continental Breakfast
10:00 am – 12 noon    Rules Clinic
12:00 – 12:30 pm    Orientation Session
Cost:     $15 pp if paid by April 24th online at www.mwgolf.org or via mail to:
    MWGA Event Office, 1127 Palmer St, Plymouth MI 48170-2054
Cost:     $20 pp if paid on or after April 24th or at the door

West Bloomfield, MI (April 16, 2013). Here’s an opportunity to learn about the Michigan Women’s Golf Association, a great women’s golf organization, as well as gain some knowledge about the USGA Rules of Golf.

On Saturday, April 27, the MWGA will present an MWGA Orientation, highlighting what’s available and new in the Association in 2013 for female amateur golfers of all skill levels.

In addition, joint with the Executive Women’s Golf Association, the MWGA will host its annual Rules Clinic, which will be presented by Jeanne Myers, GAM Assistant Director of Course Rating and past GAM President.
Myers has officiated at more than 100 USGA amateur and professional tournaments, was rules official for the MI PGA for 13 years and has conducted over 300 rules seminars. One of her most notable accomplishments was authoring the Equitable Stroke Control Procedure that went into effect in 1991 and is still in use today.  In honor of her service to golf, Myers has received several accolades, including the Jean Dodds Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women’s District Golf Association and induction into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame. Jeanne’s presentation of the USGA Rules of Golf is not only informative, but fun. Knowing the rules of golf can help improve one’s score and understanding of the game. 

Top 50 Junior Tour is offering college scholarship opportunities in 2013

   The Top 50 Junior Tour is preparing its members for the spring golf season, providing hundreds of local students with free competitive golf tournaments and the opportunity to earn college scholarships.

 




     The Top 50 Junior Tour was launched in 2003 and has since grown and expanded across the state of Michigan as well as to Arizona and Florida. The National Golf Scholarship Association has combined efforts with the Top50 Junior Tour and Student Golfer Magazine to provide students (ages 9 to 18) with one of the most comprehensive student development programs in the country. 

“This is a great program for any local students who want to improve their golf game and earn college scholarships,” said founder and PGA Golf Pro Daniel Thomas. “This is the only program that factors in their golf score, GPA and community service hours when awarding scholarships, so they don’t have to be the best golfer to be successful when participating in the tour.”

The primary goal of the NGSA and Top 50 Junior Tour is to encourage students to participate in the game of golf, enhance their golf skills and build character in the participants.  The unique format of the Top 50 Junior Tour provides students with numerous goal-oriented competitive playing opportunities, student recognition and scholarship awards for deserving students who have the desire to attend college. 

There are numerous opportunities to be awarded scholarship points including tournament participation, skills challenges, community service, rules of golf exams, essays and academics.  Five out of seven seniors from the Junior Elite Training Team Class of 2013 are receiving college scholarships and playing golf at the collegiate level.

The Top 50 Junior Tour is also preparing to host its annual Junior Golf Marathon in July. The marathon is an important fundraising event to raise money for the National Golf Scholarship Association, which provides local students with thousands of rounds of free competitive tournament golf and the opportunity for hundreds of students to earn college scholarships regardless of their ability.

Arielle Grondin and Bogey Golf Tour raises over 12 thousand grand for Cystic Fibrosis

    The parents of Arielle Grondin must be so proud! When you have a child that raises over  twelve-thousand grand for Cystic Fibrosis, its a moment that anyone can say "We did something right." Arielle, with the help of her parents that run the Bogey Golf Tour, she was able to surpass her goal of ten thousand dollars and those with this dreaded disease will have another tool to help them while suffering from this deadly disease. Arielle is not just a fundraiser, she helped educate those in the audience my being an MC for the event. The press release is below.

Bogey Golf Tour helps Local Teen Surpasses Fundraising Goal!!!!!

 

Arielle Grondin raised $12,126 for Cystic Fibrosis Canada at the third annual Music for Life Concert held at Johnny Shotz this past Saturday April 6, 2013.  Grondin surpassed her goal of $10,000 with the help of donations from local businesses, family, friends, and all who attended the event.  Thanks to Johnny Shotz for hosting the event, and Jam Space for organizing the great line up of bands, the event was a huge success.  17 year old Arielle emceed the event, did a power point presentation educating attendees about her battle with Cystic Fibrosis between sets, and accepted a cheque from Todd and Michelle Grondin owners of the Bogey Golf Tour for $4800 (see attached photo).  This cheque represented $300 from each of the Tour’s current Ontario Sponsors.  Go to www.bogeygolftour.com/wnd/sponsors.html  to see all these great companies.

 

Rockford golfers leads western powers to victory

Rockford boys golfer goes under par in brutal conditions, leads team to Zeeland East title

Dean Holzwarth | grsports@mlive.com, April 13, 2013 5:37 p.m.

Hudsonville's Matt Buzas chips onto the green during the Zeeland Invitational Golf Tournament at Winding Creek golf course Saturday. - (Mark Copier | Mlive.com)

HOLLAND, MI – The 17-team field in Saturday's Zeeland East Invitational played more than five hours of golf in brutal weather conditions ranging from snow to bitterly cold wind chills in the teens.
The elements didn't seem to affect Rockford's A.J. Varekois.
The junior fired a 1-under 70 at Winding Creek Golf Course to win medalist honors and lead the Rams to a tournament title. Varekois, a returning all-conference performer, maintained an upbeat approach to the unseasonable weather.
“You have to almost take it as a challenge, and look at it on the bright side,” Varekois said. “You don't always get to play out there, so when you do, you have to look at it on the positive side. I got off to a rough start, but I still kept my head up and it really helped.”
Related:Click here to see more photos from the invitational
Varekois managed to hit only seven greens in regulation, but was aided by stellar play around the greens and a steady putter.
He recorded five birdies and four bogies, including a run of three birdies in a row.
“I didn't hit the ball particularly well, but my short game was there,” Varekois said. “I've been shooting around that score all year long, so it was nice to take it to a tournament, especially with not being able to play that much in the offseason because of the weather. I'll definitely take that score in these conditions.”
Varekois' low round propelled the Rams to a team total of 314. Rockford was seven shots ahead of runner-up Muskegon Reeths-Puffer. Forest Hills Northern (323), Portage Central (331) and Forest Hills Eastern (334) rounded out the top five.
The Rams also received solid scores from sophomore Joel Pietila (77), who finished third, sophomore Michael Cooper (83) and freshman Kevin Kamis (84).
It was Rockford's first tournament of the season after Thursday's Kent County Invitational was postponed, and coach Eric Cullum said his team had played only 21 holes before Saturday.
“For us to shoot 314 on a day like this in the middle of the year – I would've been satisfied – for us to do it (Saturday) with literally no practice, I'm blown away,” he said. “We had two goals today. I told them to commit to everything you do, and absolutely no pouting. I saw no pouting, and that was key.”
Cullum was impressed with Varekois' play.
“He can score, that's a fact,” Cullum said. “And when we get him hitting a lot of greens and get him on the offensive, Lord knows what can happen. I'm proud of him and excited that he got his year started with a win and a good number.”
Jenison senior Logan Sochacki shot a 5-over 76 and placed runner-up. He said the conditions were unlike any he had endured before.
“This might be the worst weather I've ever had at a high school event, but I played good,” he said. “The course was a little wet, but I got around and I drove it real good. On a day like this, you just have to accept it and have fun with it. I actually like it when it's a little windy and wet.”
Forest Hills Northern had a pair of golfers in the top ten. Drew Pennington and Charlie Bacle each shot 79 and placed sixth and eighth, respectively.

Guan should be in no hurry

     Tianlang Guan is now the low amateur at the Masters. Great accomplishment.  Now what's next? The eighth grader has created a great buzz this week by being the low amateur and the youngest player to ever have that distinction. This is great in so many levels.

     When Tiger was that age he was probably only dreaming of what Guan did and hoping for an invite to arguably the world's most prestigious tournament. Guan has now been there and done that and if his game improves, perhaps he will try to play the US Amateur later this summer.

Another area I like for him is how humble he is. It is only natural to find out what his future plans are and while he could make a buck going pro, I imagine sponsors will make him want for nothing.  As he said after his final Master's round, "I've not decided yet, but it won't be too early because there's still a lot of things to learn to improve," he said about turning pro. "So nothing to rush." 

What ever he does, he needs to resist burnout. For one,  do not play too much golf with Tiger. Other than the golf, Tiger is not much of a role model. 

As most people know, golf has gone global. Like cell towers last decade, there are still plenty of hot patches where golf is played in Asia and many more that could care less. A true superstar Asian on the PGA Tour would be good for the game. It might just raise the stakes like the ladies of the LPGA have found out. 

Right now, that is premature. Guan is simply the low amateur. It seems like only yesterday that Tiger was on the prowl. Now he is the hunted. Could Guan or someone like him be that next superstar that transcends golf?

Stay tuned.

 

Tianlang Guan is low amateur

Updated: April 14, 2013, 2:44 PM ET

By Farrell Evans | ESPN.com

AUGUSTA, Ga., -- Tianlang Guan completed his first Masters on Sunday with a final round 3-over 75 to finish 12 over for the tournament.
The 14-year-old Chinese eighth-grader added to his already extensive list of firsts in the Masters by being the low amateur in the event, the youngest to achieve this feat in the 77 years of the tournament.

Andrew Redington/Getty ImagesTianlang Guan completed his first Masters on Sunday with a final round 3-over 75 to finish 12-over par.

"I think the first couple rounds, I played pretty good," said Guan, who didn't make worse than a bogey all week. "I feel a little bit tired today. So yeah, there's still a lot of things to improve.
"My short game's good, but still need to be better. My driver probably needs to be longer. Yes, I mean, everything needs to improve."
Guan made the 36-hole cut on Friday after incurring a 1-shot penalty for slow play. He is the second winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship to finish as low amateur.
In 2011, Hideki Matsuyama tied for 27th in the Masters.
As the Asia-Pacific Amateur winner, Guan is exempt into the final qualifier for the Open Championship, set for July 18 at Muirfield in Scotland.
In the meantime, he plans to play in a couple of professional tournaments. But he has no plans of turning pro anytime soon.
"I've not decided yet, but it won't be too early because there's still a lot of things to learn to improve," he said about turning pro. "So nothing to rush."

Oakland County has Putting Clinics

     Oakland County has putting classes or clinics to help you improve your game. If you have had trouble reading greens, proper grip or just want to meet fun people, this is a great way to start off the 2013 season. Details below.

Want to listen to this message? Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Perfect your putt Recreational golfers or serious golfers - this putting clinic will help improve your game! Bring your putter only. Covers grip, proper technique, alignment and reading the greens. Cost is $15/person. To register, contact the golf course pro shop. Clinics take place: April 13, 3 - 4:15 p.m. at Red Oaks Golf Course in Madison Heights April 14, 2 - 3:15 p.m. at Glen Oaks Golf Course in Farmington Hills April 14, 4 - 5:15 p.m. at Lyon Oaks Golf Course in Wixom April 20, 2 - 3:15 p.m. at White Lakes Golf Course in White Lake For more golf events, visit DestinationOakland.com. Get back in the game! - Oakland County Parks and Recreation Golf Course Staff Find us on Facebook